Postviral syndrome: symptoms, causes, diagnosis, coping

Post-viral syndrome, or post-viral fatigue, is persistent fatigue and other flu-like symptoms that can occur after fighting off a viral infection. Post-viral syndrome is not a new condition, but recently it has become increasingly associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as long-term COVID.

Read on to learn about the symptoms of postviral syndrome, which viral infections can cause postviral syndrome, and how to deal with the symptoms.

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Symptoms of postviral syndrome

The most common symptom of postviral fatigue syndrome is chronic fatigue that lasts no matter how well you sleep.

Postviral syndrome is also associated with the following symptoms:

Generalized muscle pain (myalgia) General weakness Depression Difficulty sleeping Joint pain Prolonged or persistent cough Shortness of breath Cognitive fatigue (i.e., mental exhaustion or mental exhaustion) Brain fog or difficulty thinking

Causes

Postviral syndrome can be caused by inflammatory damage caused during a viral infection. Anyone can experience this reaction to an infection.

A 2020 meta-analysis suggests that people with COVID-19 infection are at higher risk of experiencing postviral fatigue syndrome than those who have had other common viral infections, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Q fever, and Ross River Virus Infections (RRV).

Other viral infections associated with postviral fatigue syndrome include:

Diagnosis


A diagnosis of postviral fatigue syndrome may come after talking with your healthcare provider about your ongoing symptoms after infection. You can help the process by keeping a list of symptoms and a schedule and giving it to your health care provider. If possible, it can be helpful to have someone in your home to help you track symptoms and set up appointment times.

You will likely be asked some additional questions about mental health. Anxiety and depression can also cause fatigue as a symptom. Your health care provider will determine if routine blood tests would be beneficial to rule out other underlying conditions.

Forecast

There is no clear timeline for recovery from postviral syndrome. Your outlook will depend on factors, including the viral infection you had and other health considerations that may affect your recovery.

How long does COVID last?

It is still too early to tell what the prognosis is for people experiencing long-distance COVID.

Many people with COVID recover in weeks, while others live with disabling fatigue and general feelings of illness for months.

Coping

Coping with postviral fatigue syndrome is possible, but it is also a unique challenge. After all, it’s not something we’re shown how to prepare for. Regardless of your age or activity levels before infection, when your body resists doing what it once was able to do, or when it doesn’t recover after illness, it can also take a serious toll on mental health. Studies have shown a connection between chronic fatigue and severe depression.

It is frustrating to adjust to ongoing symptoms, especially when there is no clear end in sight and when the symptoms may not be obvious to others who are waiting for you to recover.

Depression and Fatigue

Coping with postviral syndrome depression may include taking steps to increase mindfulness.

The premise behind mindfulness for postviral syndrome is that strengthening your ability to cope with perpetual exhaustion and unpleasant sensations and feelings will reduce negative reactivity and emotional suffering.

Ways to practice mindfulness include:

Pace is also key to dealing with fatigue issues. People must find their limits and work not to push themselves too hard to avoid worsening symptoms.

Resume

Post-viral syndrome or post-viral fatigue syndrome is when someone experiences persistent fatigue and other flu-like symptoms after fighting off a viral infection. The symptoms can contribute to depression. Although temporary, postviral syndrome can be debilitating and there is no clear timeline for recovery.

Coping can be made a little easier with mindfulness practices, including solo activities like yoga or more formal coping strategies, like talking to a mental health professional, which can help combat the depression. Having a strong support network also helps in recovering from post-viral fatigue syndrome.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long COVID or post-covid conditions.

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American Psychological Association. Overcoming depression.

The Harvard Gazette. With mindfulness, life is in the moment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ME/CFS treatment.

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